I am judgmental. I oughtn’t be. Glass houses and stones, I know. But, I confess: I can be very petty, snarky, and/or catty. For the most part, I keep these intolerant attitudes simmering inside me, rather than confronting the offending party. The former makes me smirk to myself; the latter serves only to accrue bad karma. Although my bad karma is probably plenty accrued simply from perpetuating these thoughts.
At any rate, today, I deemed a woman unfit for society. Or, at least, for a rush hour commute. Or something. Lackadaisical BART riders are welcome on weekends or during soccer mom hours. Not so for rush hour! This woman was reading the paper (USA Today, which I also judge. It’s not as bad as the Tri-Valley Herald, but…it pales.) one section at a time. The sections she was not reading were heaped next to her. It wouldn’t have been as bad if she had hid her discourtesy in the middle of the car, but she was sitting in the first row adjacent to the doors. Especially on a rainy day, seat overflow is rude! Also, she was large. Norbert would disapprove. It was very frustrating to me that other people could have sat there, but due to her lack of consideration and awareness of her surroundings (ironic, given her engrossment in something that is supposed to decrease oblivion), the weary were forced to huddle in the aisles. Yes, pathetic reference to this.
And now, for a “bad at life” moment on campus, witnessed last week, when it was still sunny. I sat on a bench in the Esplanade, waiting for Elaine. A tour group went by, other people settled on the benches around, students breezed to and fro. Then, a cell phone walker came through. No, no. I don’t judge because she’s walking and talking on a mobile. I do it, too. It’s very reasonable to do so. (But don’t do it at night! You are more vulnerable to attack when your attention is diverted!) I judge because she’s loud. And her topic of conversation? Amusing, but probably best left to a private interaction. (Good thing the middle school tour had already passed through!)
Girl: Wait…you mean…you want commitment? Like. A. Relationship? But, we haven’t kissed yet, or anything. Or had sex!
It’s a funny story. When repeated. Unfortunately for her, this was a conversation that appeared to be happening in real time. Also unfortunately for her, she didn’t appear to be getting any. At least, from the conversational (and not sexual) partner. I feel her pain, though. Not a huge fan of commitment. And the R word? Let’s not go there.
